These thoughtful gift ideas for cancer patients undergoing chemo or after will be so useful to your friend or family member.
I have based these on the wonderful gifts I received after I was diagnosed with breast cancer and started chemotherapy,
I was completely blown away by the generosity and thought put into each of them and wanted to share some of these ideas to others looking for helpful gifts for cancer patients.
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5 Thoughtful Gifts for Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemo
1. A Chemo Care Package
If your friend is going to be undergoing chemotherapy, they can expect many boring hours spent in the Chemo ward. They will have little to do but read a book or watch TV. Of course do offer to go with them!
My lovely Mums Group put together a care package of chemotherapy gifts for me full of so many different things to keep me occupied. It had magazines, an adult colouring book, (now I’m hooked on these!), puzzle books, drinks and snacks.
You can purchase adult colouring books here.
I was so delighted to get this and the thought that went into putting it together still gives me the warm fuzzies now!
2. Hand Cream
My skin has changed drastically since starting chemo – it’s so much drier than before. I also have to wash my hands so many times to prevent infection spreading that my hands are even drier than the rest of me.
Hand cream is a Godsend. As well as the benefits of the actual soothing and moisturising cream, the process of taking a few minutes for myself and gently massaging in the hand cream is very therapeutic too.
I love hand cream – it’s one of the most thoughtful gifts for someone with cancer.
I also found a cooling towel really comforting for hot flashes such as this one.
3. Food
You might like to offer to bring round prepared freezer meals to save your friend from having to cook if they feel unwell. Otherwise, you might like to send a gift of their favourite food treat to cheer them up!
Bear in mind that the sense of taste can really change for someone undergoing chemo. They might also have bad mouth ulcers. Check with them or their family first to see if this is something they really want.
4. PJs or a Dressing Gown
Whether it’s a hospital stay or pottering around at home, I’ve been spending a lot of time in my PJs. When my friends sent me a lovely dressing gown from Peter Alexander, one of my favourite stores, I was delighted!
It was such a thoughtful gift and I wore them daily.
5. Pampering and Skincare Goodies
Along with dry hands, all of my skin became much drier during chemo.
I was sent some lovely skincare and pampering goodies from Nivea and Vital Touch. I think these are really thoughtful gifts for chemo patients as your skin can be so affected.
I’ve been a really big Nivea fan for so many years and really love their products. A lot of their range would make lovely cancer patient gift ideas.
After hearing about my cancer treatment, the lovely people at Natalia by Vital Touch sent me their adorable Mum’s Gorgeous Pampering Box! It’s such a beautiful pampering kit for mums containing their Mummy’s Yummy Body Scrub, Time for Mum Bath Soak, Mum’s Miracle Balm and a baby soft organic cotton flannel.
Chemo took its toll on my mind as well as my body. Taking time out to pamper myself really gave me the chance to relax and clear my head.
You should also check out the fabulous range of chemo gift ideas offered by award-winning site Not Another Bunch of Flowers. Their range offers a fabulous array of handpicked gifts from cancer survivor, Anikka, who really gets what a cancer patient needs.
I love their range of thoughtful gifts for cancer patients for women and men. From skincare, blankets, hats, sleepwear and so much more. Look at this gorgeous Soup making gift set!
The website isn’t limited to those undergoing cancer treatment though so if you’re looking for gift ideas for chemo patients or cancer patients generally, I’d definitely recommend you take a look! They also delivery worldwide and I highly recommend their range for gifts for people with cancer. Or gift ideas for someone going through chemo.
I also found a cooling towel really comforting such as this one.
Gift Ideas for Cancer Patients Summary
If you have a family member or friend undergoing cancer treatment and want to know what to buy someone who has cancer, I hope the cancer gift ideas above help.
Do you have any ideas for thoughtful gifts for cancer patients undergoing chemo?
Read next:
- My Triple Negative Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
- An Honest account of Chemotherapy
- Caring for your Skin after Chemotherapy
- A Gift Idea for Cancer Patients
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Do you have any thoughtful gift ideas for Cancer patients undergoing chemo to add to my list? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
When I went through Chemo the first time, my lovely neighbour treated me to pedicures and spent the day with me.
Oh that’s so lovely and thoughtful! Hope you’re feeling ok x
I love this post!
So helpful. I’ve decided to send my Nanna hand cream and fluffy pajamas for her hospital stay. Thanks Mim x
Lovely, thoughtful gift ideas.
I remember when my Mum was undergoing chemo for breast cancer back in 2009, I took the box set of Gavin & Stacey round to hers and we sat there for a full day watching every single episode. It was just what she needed at the time. I remember that day with fondness to be honest, it was wonderful to see her laugh when she was going through such a hard time. Of course, with Netflix etc. it’s all a bit different now but I remember how much difference a DVD made to her that day. I really hope you’re keeping well and I just want you to know I’m thinking of you. #thelist
Oh that’s such a lovely idea and it’s so wonderful that she had you to support her :) I hope all is ok x
I have to say I think the UK chocolate care package would be my favourite too. Not only am I addicted to chocolate but it’s nice to have sweets from home. They are never quite the same abroad, despite being yummy in their own way :) xxx #thelist
Oh I miss UK Cadburys as much as I miss my UK family I think :) x
Some really lovely & thoughtful ideas there, I love the chemo care package,
Thank you Sarah! x
I am so glad that your lovely fiends have been taking care of you and sent such thoughtful gifts. After my hysterectomy by best friends sent a lovely pack with english chocolates from Thorntons, an adult colouring book and magazine. It meant so much! Sending positive, strong thoughts your way!
Oh how lovely – I love Thorntons chocolate! x
Aw, some lovely suggestions here. A helpful post for so many. When my auntie had breast cancer, she said one of the loveliest gifts was a manicure set and bright red nail polish. She felt so rubbish but being able to have lovely nails meant a lot to her. Really hope you are doing okay xx #thelist
Oh that’s such a good idea – you feel so ‘urgh’ a lot that lovely bright nails would cheer you up! x
I love this Mim, really helpful! My mum went through chemo and spent a lot of time in hospital and I know she most appreciated the magazines, books, food and coffee that was brought to her bedside and most definitely the company and small time gossip about TV shows and generic stuff that made her laugh. I’ll be sharing this post as I think it’s very helpful to people who may feel at a loss. #TheList
Oh thank you so much Haidee! Oh yes I agree with your mum :) x
Such thoughful gifts. I have a friend who is undergoing chemo for breast cancer and I sent her a little package of burts bees stuff which included hand cream and lip balm because I read that your lips can get sore with the chemo.
I hope that your treatment is going ok xx
#thelist
Oh that’s such a good one as yes, mouth sores are horrid! Thanks lovely x
These are such thoughtful gifts Mim – it really is hard to know what to buy but these are beautiful ideas. I LOVE the soup making kit, I want one and I quite like the ironic side “when you’re sick eat soup” xx
Ah I love the soup kit too! x
How wonderful. there’s some great ideas here Mim. Mentioning you in my #LittleLoves post going live tomorrow. Lots of love x
Oh thank you so much lady! x x
Oh it’s lovely that you have received such thoughtful things. I like this post, so many times I have wanted to get something for someone going through treatment but not been sure what would be useful or needed. I hope all is going well and it’s nice to see that you are being so well looked after xx
I’m so pleased it’s helpful, thanks lovely! x
These are such lovely, thoughtful gifts. You must be a wonderful person to have such amazing friends, it’s not luck that people love you enough to do things like this for you when you need it most.x
Oh Natalie that’s such a lovely thing to say! I am very lucky though to have so much love and support x x